Tips for Hiking with a Pet: A Complete Guide for Adventurous Hikers

Tips for
Hiking with a Pet: A Complete Guide for Adventurous Hikers

There’s
nothing better than hiking with a pet because you can rediscover nature through
their eyes, and even understand how to respect it more. But all that requires
some extra preparation and some new info.

Do Leash
Training

You’ll
need to train your pet how to behave on the trail first. That’s if you’re not
bringing along Tweety in a birdcage or a pet snail. But if you’re planning to
hike with a four-legged partner like a dog or a cat, you might need to do some
leash-training first. If you are a nature lover, then you might need to check out the best outdoor dog breeds.

Dogs
aren’t allowed in national parks or reserves, and most of the places they are
allowed in will generally require you to put on a leash. Some of these places
need you to have a permit in advance, while some don’t, but it’s seldom that
the leash rule is off.

And
since you don’t want to drag or be dragged by a pet that pulls the leash
frantically, you should start exercising the proper walk way in advance. If you
have a pet, a few weeks would probably do the trick, considering that you will
need to exercise the walk in different places. However, an older dog or one
that comes from a very independent breed will require more time for that.

Get the
Right Equipment

It’s
easier to bring equipment for a smaller animal that can be carried in your back
pocket. But did you know that there are some great slings or pouches for
transporting bigger animals too? It’s great to have something like this with
you, particularly if your pet becomes injured.

At this
point though, you should also consider getting the right gear for you. If you
have a pet on a leash, it’s more important than ever to have good ankle support
so you don’t trip. Pets are unpredictable, and they can always pull the leash.

Besides
that, you should bring some water and food for your pets, even some treats to
throw along their way. There’s some great dog hiking gear on the market today,
as well as for cats. Stuff like harnesses to replace your leash or a vest that
keeps them warm on the way can really be lifesaving for you both.

An
insect repellant is also a great idea, particularly if you’re going in an area
with a lot of grass where ticks might be hiding. And you can always think about
adding a cool vest to your hiking gear, it keeps the little furry ones safe
from the heat.

Follow
the Law

There
are plenty of issues to be mindful of when hiking, but you should start with
the legal stuff first. So keep in mind that you shouldn’t take the leash off
your dog if you’ve been instructed not to when you first set foot in the park.
There’s a real problem with dogs hunting down and killing native birds, and
it’s not a joking matter even if you know that your dog behaves at home.

Besides
this, you should also pick after your dog or cat. That means getting plenty of
doggie bags with you since the great outdoors is a great laxative too. But
since you are in a park that sees a high influx of tourists along with their
dogs, you’ll probably see plenty of safe places to throw away your dog poo.

Get into
shape

It’s not
enough to just train your dog or cat to walk on a leash and obey your commands.
It’s also fairly important that you get into shape. So you should start with
some basic cardio and weight training to improve your fitness condition.

Just
keep in mind that no matter how well-trained your pet is, their excitement will
test your patience. So you’ll have to be so fit that you can actually keep the
same pace as your pet.

However,
some dogs are actually couch potatoes themselves, so you’ll need to train them
too in order to follow your and milestones. You should start with some easy
back country hikes in allowed places, like on the East Coast that has some
easier trails.

But even
if you both are in pretty good shape, it doesn’t hurt to do a few trial runs so
you can see how you get along on a hike. You’ll find out what style of terrain
and hike suits you best, and you can prepare for the issues that might arise.

Consult
Your Vet

Hiking
isn’t easy, so it’s always a good idea to get your doctor’s ok before setting
off on a difficult trail. For instance, you might be prone to altitude sickness
or bone injuries. The same goes for your pet, and you should know that it’s ok
to take him or her along.

But your
vet can give you other input regarding things like the extra calories needed
for optimal energy on the hike. You’ll know how much your furry friend can
handle in terms of trail difficulty, and you’ll also get the chance to do
important vaccinations or insect treatments. There are plenty of parasites or
fleas that can’t wait to find a new home, so it’s best that your pet doesn’t
end up being that.

Your
hiking buddy might also need to carry a pack of his own, so you should find out
if he can actually do that. It’s true that most dogs can carry a quarter of
their own weight, but please ask your vet if your dog is also capable of doing
that.

And
since it’s always best to bring along a First Aid Kit for you, it’s also
advisable to bring one for your pet. The good news is that a visit to your
doctor can clarify exactly what to put inside it in terms of medical supplies.

That
said, don’t forget to have lots of fun! Your pet will surely love hiking just
as long as they’re with you! And once you’re home, come back here and tell us
how it went. You’ll probably have lots of advice to share with your fellow
hikers.

Guest Post Author
Bio:

Rebecca
lives in the United States, but loves hiking all over the world. Her favorite
is the Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal. It usually takes 16 days, but she likes
to slow down, enjoy mountains, the company of other adventurers, and take more
pictures, so it took her 28 days last time. Another of her passion is the
ocean, so all short and long hikes along the ocean shore bring a lot of joy.
She also writes for hikingmastery.com